Convicted felon in Gold Hill now faces drugs, weapons charges

A convicted felon living in Gold Hill now faces new charges for weapons and drugs, and had a loaded gun in his easy chair when approached by deputies, according to Rowan Sheriff Kevin Auten.

On Friday, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Special Response Team (SRT) and the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit (ACE), assisted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), executed a state issued search warrant at 280 Rowan-Cabarrus Road, Gold Hill.

The search warrant was issued based on evidence that the occupant, a multi-convicted felon, was distributing prescription pain killers and possessing firearms. The SRT executed the search warrant and investigators discovered Anthony Worth Wyrick, age 56, inside the residence, with a loaded .22 revolver in the recliner where Wyrick was seated.

An additional two long guns were discovered in the master bedroom. A large number of prescription pain medications were found inside the residence, many which had been prescribed to Wyrick.

Following the initial search, investigators executed a second search warrant on Wyrick’s safe deposit box at a bank on Avalon Drive in Salisbury. Investigators seized over $16,000 in cash from the safe deposit box.

Wyrick has been charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and was arrested. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

Wyrick has an extensive criminal history in Rowan County, including the following felony convictions: felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, felony possession of precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling/vehicle, felony breaking and entering, felony second degree rape.